P&A GoGoGo 2: Exmouth, Cape Range National Park

Thursday 30 August 2012

Exmouth, Cape Range National Park

Vlamingh Head Lighthouse, Exmouth. The views from this lighthouse is very beautiful, can see the Cape Range and the coastline quite clearly. But we were there when the sun is high up, so pictures taken weren't that perfect.

Finally we arrive at Exmouth, the famous Ningaloo Reef Marine Park where many people say it's more beautiful than Great Barrier Reef ^^ We shall find out! Ningaloo Reef is the easiest reef to access because you can just swim out from the beach and you will find the beautiful fringing reefs. Exmouth is a small town with few caravan parks, supermarket and library. Cape Range National Park (where the Ningaloo reef is) is about 52kms from Exmouth. Entrance fee to the park is $11. The first day we came here, there were no camping spot available (very famous tourist area, so better book). So we had to camp at Yardie Homestead caravan park which is about 6km from the park entrance for $26 (unpowered). If you want to camp inside the national park, do a booking online or be at the park entrance before 8am to wait for the queue. Certainly the national park camping is the cheapest (with only bush toilet), and it is convenient to camp just beside the beach.

And because we came to the national park late, we did not hire the snorkel gear but just relaxed at Turquoise Bay. The snorkel gear can be hired from shops in Exmouth town ($10 per day) or at the Milyering Visitor Centre ($10per day or if staying at national park camp $15 overnight hire) or Yardie Homestead Caravan Park ($15 per day). Cape Range is famous for its beautiful gorges as well and there are few hikes to do here. We reckon we had enough of hikes, so we just spend time relaxing at the beach =P